Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I found this book to be delightfully creepy! Isabel Canaz does another magnificent job of crafting a horror story interlaced with romance and family drama in a breathtaking historical setting. I enjoyed Alba as a character. She was level-headed and smart. She was also terrrriffyiing. Canas's descriptions of her possession sent goosebumps over my skin.

Everything I love about a gothic horror novel is represented: a mysterious origin/upbringing, misunderstood circumstances, forbidden love, a dangerous evil, and religious intolerance and trauma. The setting was bleak, the mine and the looming mountain over a desolate locale enhanced the more intimate dual narrations of Alba and Elias and their increasing isolation and desperation. Together they navigate the growing horror of Alba's present circumstances while balancing their growing attraction and affection for each other, shackled as they are by propriety and differing class standings.

The possession was fascinating to read. Especially considering that the very thing Alba wished to avoid by marrying a man of her mother's choosing (losing her bodily autonomy) was manifested anyway through the demonic possession. The slow way the possession grew roots in Alba's mind, the infestation of her thoughts and the disjointed way it controlled her body, was honestly disturbing (in a great way!). I had a great time with this book and found the ending to be satisfying.

5/5

So, yeah, that was good. Really good. I thought I was going to have to hate it once I got a few chapters from the end, but … nope. Cañas really had me going for a minute there, though, I'm not going to lie.

The Possession of Alba Díaz is about, well … the possession of Alba Díaz, obviously. But it's also about patriarchy and colonialism and the Catholic Church and toxic family and revenge, and it's really all quite dark and gothic-y and entertaining. There's definitely some romance, and I generally despise romance in novels but let me tell you I was totally rooting for Alba and Elías. Why? I've no idea. They barely even know each other and, I mean, Alba spends a good portion of their time together possessed. But somehow they're like the Romeo and Juliet of Mexican horror … which, now that I think about it, actually kind of makes sense since Romeo and Juliet barely knew each other either.

But I digress. This is an atmospheric, creepy novel with a fantastic setting (a 1700s Mexican silver mine during a plague outbreak). The characters are multifaceted and complex and – with the exception of Alba and Elías themselves – almost entirely unlikeable. Carlos (Alba's fiancé) is a particularly fascinating character and I do wish we could have learned slightly more about him – with the exception of a small bit toward the end, he's mostly just the “guy who hates Elías for no reason.” The Big Bad is terrifying, and the Bigger Bad (who's maybe not really completely bad? I don't even know) only slightly less so.

And the ending? Fantastic. No spoilers here, but when you're near the end of the book and wanting to sling it across the room in frustration (you'll know it when you get to it), just know that the story isn't over yet. I was totally composing a hate mail to Isabel Cañas in my head there for a while, though.

Anyway, yeah. If you're a horror fan, definitely consider giving this one a read. It's atmospheric and dark and creepy and haunting, but also just maybe a little bit hopeful too? 4.55 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 19, 2025.

Definitely a very fun and enjoyable read. I found the historical setting interesting and was excited to learn more about it. It leans a little more heavily towards gothic romance than true horror, which wasn’t necessarily a problem for me but perhaps might be for other people.

TEN OUT OF TEN, NO NOTES.

I didn't think I could love Isabel Cañas more than I did after finishing The Hacienda, and then Vampires of El Norte blew me away - but this book, The Possession of Alba Díaz, oh my my my, all I can say is her books just keep getting better and better. She was already on my auto-buy author list but frankly, I would read this woman's grocery lists. Zero notes, zero feedback, I loved everything about this and I don't even like horror or suspense books generally.

Absolutely fantastic.

I got an arc of this from NetGalley and I really enjoyed it. After a hangover from Nosferatu, this was a fun read that gave a similar performance in demonic possessed women. Like all of Isabel’s books, she does atmospheric writing in a spell bounding way where you can feel like you’re in Mexico.

Isabel Cañas’ The Possession of Alba Díaz is a spellbinding blend of gothic horror, historical fiction, and forbidden desire, all set against the haunting backdrop of an 18th-century Mexican silver mine. The story centers on Alba, a young woman fleeing the plague who seeks shelter with her fiancé’s family. But instead of finding safety, she begins to experience terrifying hallucinations, uncontrollable convulsions, and an overwhelming sense that something dark is taking hold of her. As her condition spirals, Elías—her fiancé’s mysterious and brooding cousin—finds himself drawn into her nightmare. Though he knows he should stay away, he becomes an unwilling witness to her suffering, and the two are pulled into a battle against a malevolent force neither of them fully comprehends.

Cañas weaves an atmosphere so thick with tension and dread that it feels almost tangible. The eerie isolation of the mine, the secrets lurking in every shadow, and the slow-burning chemistry between Alba and Elías create a story that’s as emotionally gripping as it is terrifying. The novel delves into themes of faith, power, and the resilience of the human spirit, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page—unsettling, beautifully written, and utterly unforgettable.

If you’re a fan of gothic horror, slow-building suspense, or historical fiction with a dark twist, this is a must-read. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the chance to dive into this advance copy—it’s a story that will haunt you in the best way possible.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was just alright for me, very slow going and hard to get into plot wise, once it picked up I enjoyed it, but I think I was working against the beginning. I think I'll try again in the future with an audio book. All in all a good story!

Isabel Cañas just keeps getting better with every book. I was SCREAMING my way through the last 10%. Horror romance at its finest!

Sinister, seductive, and steeped in eerie atmosphere, this book weaves horror and historical fiction into a chillingly intoxicating tale. The creeping dread of Alba’s possession is as gripping as the forbidden tension between her and Elías, every moment thrumming with danger and desire. With haunting prose and a setting as rich as it is terrifying, this is the kind of story that’s as irresistible as it is unforgettable.

Isabel Cañas delivers a haunting masterpiece with The Possession of Alba Díaz, a novel that will linger in my mind for a long time. This captivating blend of historical gothic horror and slow-burning, forbidden romance is set against the evocative backdrop of 18th-century Mexico—a setting as mesmerizing as it is unique. The psychological and supernatural torment Alba endures makes for a gripping, immersive read that I couldn’t put down.

Alba is a compelling protagonist—strong-willed yet vulnerable—while the simmering tension between her and Elías adds a layer of intensity that perfectly balances the novel’s chilling atmosphere. Cañas masterfully builds suspense, intertwining folklore, family secrets, and colonial history into a richly layered narrative that stays with you well beyond the final page. Her prose is lush and atmospheric, conjuring vivid scenes of isolation, dread, and dark temptation.

This was my first novel by Cañas, but it certainly won’t be my last. A must-read for fans of gothic horror, a pining romance, and stories that explore the fine line between love and darkness. Look for this on shelves on August 19, 2025!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this eARC.

Isabel Canas is a wonderful author and can write a story! This one was truly a fun time to read. It was spooky and I could not stop reading it. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy